Boxweiler Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

30-40 kg

Height

53-68 cm

Lifespan

8-12 years

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About the Boxweiler

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

As you might’ve guessed this dog is a cross between the Boxer and the Rottweiler, two big loveable dogs with sweet natures that are right at home being part of the family.

This Rottweiler Boxer mix is a big dog and despite its rough, intimidating appearance is sensitive and requires plenty of attention from you and your family.

There’s no standard mix for this pooch so their traits can vary a lot across the breed, so owners need to understand the traits of the parents of their Boxweiler puppy when making a decision.

What is the history & origin of the Boxweiler?

While the Boxweiler is a relatively new breed that began being intentionally crossbred in the 1980s, their two parent breeds are ancient and have been working alongside humans for thousands of years.

The Rottweiler was likely brought to Switzerland by ancient Rome where it was descended from dogs used for droving cattle. Here it is thought to have mixed with local breeds like the Appenzeller and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It was first added to the American Kennel Club register in 1931.

Boxers originated in Germany in the 1600s after descending from the Tibetan mastiff. The boxer became a hit over the 1800s due to its powerful build and sweet nature.

The Boxer and Rottweiler are fantastic family dogs with long histories as service dogs and their high energy levels, intelligence, and confidence make them well suited to these roles.

What is a Boxweiler breed?

The Boxweiler’s appearance will vary as it inherits characteristics from both its parents. This means Boxweiler puppies may be a bit more Boxer or a bit more Rottweiler or fall somewhere in between.

If it’s more of a Boxer they will be leaner but if they have more Rottweiler they will be bulkier.

Either way, they will have a big, muscular body with long legs covered in a short, coarse coat. They have a square head with a long snout and medium-length ears.

Their hair is usually black or tan or it can come in a variety of combinations of these two colours.

Who is a Boxweiler best for?

These are well-behaved and intelligent dogs who are relatively easy to train. They have high energy levels which shouldn’t be confused with a fighting mentality.

They are devoted to their families and get on great with kids provided they are socialized with them from an early age. They can be protective over kids and wary of new children who come to play with their families.

They are bred from dogs with hunting and shepherding lineages, so can be liable to chase other animals but generally, they do very well with other dogs, though again early socialisation is as important to this breed’s behaviour as any other.

They are large dogs so may not be great for a first-time owner, especially considering their high energy levels.

Large dog breeds like the Boxweiler do best in a house as opposed to an apartment so they have room to roam around comfortably without getting under anyone’s feet.

Boxweiler Grooming & Shedding

The Boxweiler’s coarse double coat requires only moderate grooming, 1-2 brushes a week with minimal baths a year should keep them well-groomed. They shed at an average level and do a good job of keeping themselves clean and well-groomed.

Do Boxweilers bark a lot?

Rottweilers and Boxers are not overly vocal dogs and generally exert a calm authority. This is true of the Boxweiler which is not known for antisocial levels of barking.

A Boxweiler makes a great guard dog and will bark if they feel distressed or that they need to alert you of something but on a day-to-day basis they won’t bark needlessly.

What is the average weight & height of a Boxweiler dog?

Though the Rottweiler Boxer mix is open to a large degree of variation in size depending on their parentage, they tend to weigh anywhere between 30-40kgs and sometimes up to 50kgs if their Rottweiler parent is the more dominant.

Males and females can stand anywhere between 53-68 cm.

Are Boxweilers easy to train?

Both the Rottweiler and Boxer dog are headstrong, alpha dogs, the Rottweiler moreso, that were bred as working dogs to hunt and protect their families. With this in their blood, it’s important to begin training a Boxer Rottie cross as early as possible so you can get a handle on their instincts.

Both Rotties and Boxers take very well to training, the Boxer has a storied history of being used as an army and police dog. They live to please and love to feel like part of a team, which primes them for taking direction.

They are an energetic dog breed, so getting them socialized early and used to the sights and sounds of the world will make them more relaxed and easier to train.

It’s important to start their training as early as possible once they’ve settled into your home so they don’t get the idea that they are the alpha. Once you overcome their initial hard-headedness with gentle but firm training, remembering never to be heavy-handed as these sensitive dogs don’t take well to a punitive approach, they can make an excellent family pet.

How do Boxweilers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

This mixed breed dog is a charming, kind, and loving breed that with the right socialization can make a dutiful but playful companion.

They have a good degree of harmless energy which means they need a decent 30 minutes of exercise a day and they do not take well to being kept in a cage or a small room. They love to feel like part of the family, so whether you’re out and about or sitting on the couch, your Boxweiler will want to be there with you so they can keep an eye on you and your family.

They can be aloof with strangers and will rarely behave aggressively towards new people, choosing instead to keep their distance until they’ve got to know them.

Does the Boxweiler have any common health issues?

The Boxweiler is a sturdy, robust dog with a short list of health concerns considering their mixed parentage. Some of the concerns to look out for are

Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit properly, which can lead to arthritis.
Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, this involves joint issues in the elbow, affecting mobility.
Bloat: A serious condition where the stomach expands and twists, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Seizures: Some Boxweilers may be prone to seizure disorders.
Bone Cancer: This breed can be at risk for certain types of bone cancer, which is important to monitor.

What is the lifespan of a Boxweiler?

If they enjoy the right nutrition and exercise then a Boxweiler can live for between 8-12 years.

How much does a Boxweiler need to be fed?

If you purchase your Boxer Rottweiler cross from any reputable breeder they will give you a diet plan to stick to during your puppy’s development. It’s important to stick to this to ensure you avoid any early stomach issues.

Once they develop into adults you can feed them one large meal in the morning or split it into two smaller meals. It’s important to avoid overfeeding them as they can gain weight easily if they eat too much. Plenty of exercise and not giving them too many treats is an easy way to avoid weight gain.

How much can you expect to pay for a Boxweiler in Australia?

The price you pay for a Boxweiler will vary depending on the breeder and the class of its parent breeds. You can expect to pay between $300-$600 for a Boxweiler puppy.

Boxweiler FAQs

What is the biggest breed of Rottweiler?

The largest kind of dog in this breed is hard to pin down as there is plenty of room for variation depending on which parent has the more powerful genetics. The bigger varieties will almost always be the ones where the Rottweiler is the more dominant as they are much thicker, more well-muscled dogs.

Are Boxweilers hypoallergenic?

Boxweilers are not hypoallergenic and will shed moderately throughout the year with two seasonal periods of heavy shedding. It’s important to groom them to remove dead skin and loose hair, as well as spread the natural oils around their skin, helping prevent a ‘dog’ smell.

Do Boxweilers require professional grooming?

The Boxweiler is a low maintenance breed that requires weekly brushing around once to twice a week with bathing when necessary, typically 1-2 times a year.

Grooming a Boxweiler should be easy to undertake by yourself but if you want to use a professional they’ll have no problems with making sure they are hygienic and well-presented.